“That is why I am delighted to announce that the British passport will be returning to the iconic blue and gold design after we have left the European Union in 2019.”

Blue passports were originally introduced 100 years ago, before being replaced in 1988 by the first burgundy machine-readable passports, in line with the common format introduced by the European Economic Community.

The government says the new passport, which will include updated features and technology, will be one of the most secure in the world.

The Home Office says British passport holders do not need to take any action before their current renewal date.